The inspiring story of one young man's record-breaking solo cycle journey around the world
On 15 February 2008, Mark Beaumont pedalled through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. 194 days and 17 hours previously, he had begun his attempt to circumnavigate the world in record time. Mark smashed the Guinness World Record by an astonishing 81 days. He had travelled more than 18,000 miles on his own through some of the harshest conditions one man and his bicycle can endure, camping wild at night and suffering from constant ailments.
The Man Who Cycled the World is the story not just of that amazing achievement, but of the events that turned Mark Beaumont into the man he is today. From the early years of his free-spirited childhood in the Scottish countryside to present day, he has been equally determined not to settle for an average existence, but to break free and follow his dreams.
Mark Beaumont grew up in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands. When he was twelve, he cycled across Scotland, then a few years later, completed the 1,000 mile solo ride across Britain from John O'Groats to Land's End. His next long-distance ride took him the length of Italy, a journey of 1,336 miles, helping to raise GBP50,000 for charity. After graduating from Glasgow University, and having also qualified as a professional ski instructor, he decided against a conventional career and devoted himself full-time to raising money for his endurance adventures.
Visit his website at www.markbeaumontonline.com

"The narrative is infused with human drama to keep the pages turning... impressive" -- Clover Stroud * Sunday Telegraph *"In 2008 Mark Beaumont completed the fastest ever circumnavigation of the world by bicycle, covering 18,296 miles in 194 days 17 hours and beating the previous record by 81 days. Here Beaumont describes that astonishing journey and how he became one of modern cycling's genuine heroes" * London Review of Books *"Readers will remember Mark Beaumont's staggering achievement of racing around the world in 2008. This is Mark's personal story of his marathon. I have scanned it once and read it twice thoroughly yet I'm not sure I've got all there is to be had from it. The journey was epic and it took a hero's mindset to contemplate the project, never mind actually carry it out. He includes laconic entries from his diary which really bring home how hard things were on the road. These often terse statements come across as very immediate and give the reader a very clear insight into how he was feeling. You'll have to buy the book to find out more... and by buying it you help keep a modern hero awheel!" -- Gerry Frisby * Cycling World *"If you think cycling on British roads is perilous, spare a thought for Mark Beaumont, the man who pedalled around the world in a record 194 days and 17 hours. His epic trek saw him battle hostile terrain in Turkey and Pakistan, endure fierce weather in Australia and get back in the saddle after a crash in America" * Daily Express *"There is much that is remarkable about Mark Beaumont and he has produced a well-written and highly readable account of his endeavour. What he does is something close to a blow-by-blow account of the enormous resolve and determination that were necessary to undertake the journey... Unusually for round-the-world accounts it picks up towards the end, rather than tailing off. Chasing a record at times seems like an odd reason for travellling so far - but by the end, I was willing him through the final few days" * cycling-books.com *

Click & Collect

Simply reserve online and pay at the counter when you collect.
Available in shop from just two hours, subject to availability.

Thank you for your reservation

Your order is now being processed and we have sent a confirmation email to you at

This item can be requested from the shops shown below. If this item isn't available to be reserved nearby, add the item to your basket instead and select 'Deliver to my local shop' at the checkout, to be able to collect it from there at a later date.

First name*

Last name*

Email address*

Preferred contact method

EmailText message

Mobile number*

Please provide me with your latest book news, views and details of Waterstones’ special offers.

When will my order be ready to collect?

Following the initial email, you will be contacted by the shop to confirm that your item is available for collection.

Call us on or send us an email at

Unfortunately there has been a problem with your order

Please try again or alternatively you can contact your chosen shop on or send us an email at